Sedentary living

In today's tech-driven world - whether it be in front of a computer or on the couch at home - most of us are spending 10 or more hours a day in the sitting position. And according to researchers, that's literally killing us. Prolonged sitting increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, not to mention the harm it does to our posture. So how can we be less sedentary, particularly at work?

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Comments (23)

Phrosty :

06 Dec 2011 12:29:18pm

As someone with a very serious life changing spinal injury, one can confirm that limiting sit or lie down "choices"; that basically describes sedentary living or lifestyles, are less than positive or desirable!

Or indeed, the other health problems presented/created by it?

As for the able bodied, one would advocate; that city central CBDs, become car free pedestrian/pedal powered bike; and, for the disabled; wheel chair only places?

And that everything except disabled elevators; leave from say the third floor; that tea, meal and rest breaks, be taken standing/stretching/moving/ conversing.

When still able-bodied; a very brisk morning power walk was routine; as was club/social cricket and sports coaching!

Where I'm currently obliged to live; given my now limited means and the financial after effects of the divorce; there are no wheelchair sports or competition!

Or indeed; the financial means generally provided to the disabled; clearly needed to participate, if any could be found nearby; and suitable for elderly grumps, like oneself?

Mallory :

07 Dec 2011 7:19:26pm

Strongly suggest that you check out meetup.com or similar, and look into the possibility of starting your own exercise group locally, since you have as you have said, leadership skills. Maybe if enough people joined, you could get transport to new, interesting places for your outings.Are the obstacles in the way of going for a simple 'walk' beatable? If so, maybe you could do as recommended and, starting small, go out under your own steam each day, even if just up and down the street. You might even meet a pedestrian to chat with and so get a double benefit. Any exercise is good, even if it isn't competitive or in the 'sport' category.

Phrosty :

Thanks for all those kind thoughts Mallory. Leadership skills? Who me? I'll take your advice on board Mate and see where it leads? Never say never!

For a bloke that wasn't supposed to walk again, I guess I do okay with a couple of sticks or a shopping trolley to lean on. However, over very short distances; only, with no inclines.

For me 500 metres requires nearly as much sweat soaked effort; as a double marathon for the able-bodied. I prefer to pump iron skywards, with a repeated surge and coast routine; that gives a great cardio-vascular workout.

I will remain competitive as long as I draw breath? It not a choice thing Mate, just one's basic nature?

brad :

Deeds :

07 Dec 2011 7:05:14pm

Circumstances have made for me a 45 minute walk every day (with cardiovascular challenge) a necessity for the last 7 years or so. As a depression sufferer, I can categorically say this this has not fixed the depression, and I'd like it understood that carrying out activities that are not helpful, while depressed, is a dreadfully miserable undertaking, miserable almost beyond description. Congratulations to those who are helped by it; I merely mean to warn against fanatical belief in the curative properties of exercise for depression, such that people are forced into activity and/or berated for not undertaking it or not having done so before.

On another subject, was it Mitch Duncan who all but told that woman who feels her workplace made her overweight by enforcing sedentariness, that she was solely responsible for the overweight because of overeating? Probably he has missed Prof. Joe Proietto's discussion with Norman Swan on the Health Report about the body's set point and the futility of the weight loss endeavour over the longer term, and the research that is being done into the way this set point is established.

Judy :

07 Dec 2011 7:23:02pm

" If you are fat you eat too much". I was blown away by this comment from Dr Mitch Duncan. If ONLY it were this easy!!! My Dr recently talked about the complexities of being overweight and that a total picture still hasn't emerged. And yet Dr Mitch can make such a blanket statement on ABC radio. Very interesting!!!

PB :

Big fan of AM792 :

07 Dec 2011 7:48:02pm

This Christmas maybe people should all go into secondhand shops to get a treadmill or exercise bike, then attach to that a kitchen cookbook holder at eye level, to hold an ebook reader or the laptop or ipad or tablet, so everyone can get up and do some leg exercise whilst working, reading or reading text/email messages.The new ABC centre in Brisbane should be so equipped, in every office, so everyone can sign up to the 10,000 steps competition, similar to Kelly H-G/Madonna King's last year. Each office keep up the exercise tally and the winning office gets a Christmas prize+from+the+ABC,+each+year.+This+is+so+us+taxpayers+don't+end+up+paying+compensation+for+shortening+the+lifespan+of+ABC's+desk-bound+employees.+

Big fan of AM792 :

07 Dec 2011 7:48:26pm

This Christmas maybe people should all go into secondhand shops to get a treadmill or exercise bike, then attach to that a kitchen cookbook holder at eye level, to hold an ebook reader or the laptop or ipad or tablet, so everyone can get up and do some leg exercise whilst working, reading or reading text/email messages.The new ABC centre in Brisbane should be so equipped, in every office, so everyone can sign up to the 10,000 steps competition, similar to Kelly H-G/Madonna King's last year. Each office keep up the exercise tally and the winning office gets a Christmas prize+from+the+ABC,+each+year.+This+is+so+us+taxpayers+don't+end+up+paying+compensation+for+shortening+the+lifespan+of+ABC's+desk-bound+employees.+

sian :

These days I am looking very critically at so called scientific thesis with quite some scepticism. The questions that arise for me is who benefits from this so called research really?

Is it big multinational companies that are looking at every single way they can cut costs by taking away the bare minimum of hardworking employees; that of a simple chair. I walk into vast department stores and what amount to warehouse supermarkets, and there is not one single chair in sight. When you have to fend for yourself in this society and you are slighlty incapacitated but not yet requiring the use of a wheel chair, you cannot find anywhere the opportunity to regain your strength by being able to access the use of a chair. In this fast paced selfish world where it is the survival of the fittest or otherwise you be dead. By all means discourage the overuse and extended use periods of sitting but dont take away in fact, please put back into society the simple pleasure of sitting on a chair.

Kristine :

08 Dec 2011 9:59:09am

my partner put a treadmill into his office, so that he now works on his computer and phone as he walks (slowly). In this way he walks up to 10 kms a day and his energy and fitness levels have been tranformed. He had a board built to go over the top of the treadmill, or people can check out Trekdesks for ideas.

Phrosty :

08 Dec 2011 10:57:27am

Most of us do I very best thinking while walking, or long distance swimming; or, almost any other activity that improves our cardio vascular system; thereby improving the blood flow and oxygen supply, to the brain!

Perhaps your partner or the supply firm; could add an alternator to the treadmill; so all that activity could power up the office as well? Ha ha. Cheers.

Alex :

Ultimately it comes down to each of us to incorporate physical activity into our days, where and how we can. Stand, stretch, walk –it all adds up and every step is one towards better health.

But in my experience, a workplace health program can really help get you started and stay on track with useful tips, team activities, etc. I did a great one earlier this year that helped me get more active and also into more active habits that still keep me in good stead today, even though the event is finished. No treadmill desk either (!) - just a pedometer, a global challenge and a bit of a competitive streak :) (Not sure if I can name the program here?).

Anyway, many workplaces now have some sort of health or fitness program or club and it’s worth making the most of them. And if your workplace doesn’t have one, it could be worthwhile checking in with your HR team to show your interest . A healthy staff is a productive one, so there's a good argument right there… Worth a shot.

Mulga Mumblebrain :

08 Dec 2011 6:22:23pm

An immobile body, not moving, not vibrating with potential and kinetic energy might be toxic, but a paralysed brain, and an obtunded consciousness, the everyday condition of the Great Australian Mediocrity, is far, far more poisonous.

Connie :

Mulga Mumblebrain :

09 Dec 2011 7:20:57am

The Australian Way is to watch others kineticising, while loudly vocalising support. Afterwhich we retire to lubritorium to imbibe (over)nourishing liquids. Many share the experience even more vicariously from the safety of their living-room, sat in a bariatric easy-chair in front of their plasma TV, the air-con at full blast, the obligatory 'tinnie' at hand, with the remote control grasped in a sweaty paw.